Thursday, May 14, 2009

EMS Week May 17-23


Every firefighter at Hillsboro Fire and Rescue is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). There are three levels of certification: Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic. Each level allows the firefighter/medic to perform different levels of treatment with the Paramedic having the most latitude to perform advanced life support procedures in the field.

May 17 through 23rd is National Emergency Medical Services week, a time when we recognize the valuable role that our EMTs play in pre-hospital care. They work along side of dedicated ambulance medics and hospital emergency department physicians and staff to provide an advanced emergency medical system.

Hillsboro Fire stations are strategically positioned around the community to be ready to fight fire. Because we are close by and trained to handle medical emergencies, a fire engine or truck company is dispatched every time you call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Our crews can often arrive first and begin life-saving treatment, when necessary. Once the ambulance arrives, the patient is handed off to them for transport to an area hospital. It's a seamless system that provides the public with the highest level of service possible.

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